Parish Pump Hailsham - June 28, 2013

Published:09:11Sunday 30 June 2013

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MUCH ADO About Publishing. At the Old Chapel Centre tomorrow, Saturday, from 10am to 4.30pm, authors will be in discussion with publishers, editors and designers who turn manuscripts into books. Nigel Newton, publisher of Bloomsbury Books, will be in conversation with Suzy Johnson. Publisher Candida Lacey together with members of the Myriad Books editorial and design team will be in discussion with Lisa Cutts. Editor and publishing commentator Beverley Birch will be in discussion with author Paul Bryers and Suzanne Dean, creative director of Vintage Design, with editor Laura Hassan Vintage Editorial Director. Buy Tickets (£20) at Much Ado Books or by ‘phone 01323 871222. To find out more visit www.muchadobooks.com.

BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL for Philip Ayers: I asked Philip about how he heard the news and about the citation and Philip sent me the following. ‘I was astonished to receive a letter from the Cabinet Office in mid May asking whether or not I would accept the award of a British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. When I recovered, I said - yes. The award is for services to transport. Helping set up the Cuckmere Community Bus (now the Cuckmere Buses) in 1975/6 was one of my first jobs when I transferred to Southdown from a company in the north west. The company has grown from a fleet of two buses running four days a week to eight buses running 365 days. It is a much bigger organisation too with around 60 volunteers compared with the original dozen or so. Norman Baker MP has been extolling its virtues around the country and in Parliament. This has brought considerable interest from far and wide and has enabled me to assist in setting up similar schemes on the Isle of Wight and Cumbria as well as potential schemes in Worcester, Durham, Tees-side and East London.’ Philip serves as a Director and Treasurer for the Sussex Community Rail Partnership, bringing local people closer to train services. At National Level he is Director of the Association of Community Rail Partnerships. His work as a JP for 20 years, Vice Chairman of the Sussex Eastern Bench and Chairman of the Eastern Sussex Advisory Committee to the Lord Chancellor were also mentioned in the citation. In his letter to me Philip says how grateful he is that he has been able to have the time to devote to his voluntary work and how very grateful to Christine for her support. He still drives regularly at weekends for the Cuckmere Community Bus and it still gives him a buzz to see the enthusiasm of local people taking control of their public transport needs. The award will be presented somewhere in East Sussex by the Lord Lieutenant, Peter Field, on a date to be advised.

WI NEWS: At the end of last month the Alfriston WI entertained about 30 members of the Bexhill Day Centre. They shared afternoon tea with strawberries and cream, a selection of sandwiches and home-made cakes and it was also a sunny afternoon. This month Mrs Chamberlaine gave an illustrated talk on Gardening for the Young at Heart. The pictures were of the many gardens she has been associated with from a brassiere planted with petunias hanging on a fence to large gardens, such as Wisley. There were also some interesting facts about the plants in local gardens and advice about plants suitable for chalky soil. It gave members renewed enthusiasm for tackling garden problem corners. Alfriston WI will be celebrating their 95th birthday this month. Members past and present will be meeting for a birthday tea. The next meeting on July 16 includes a talk entitled Motorina to Racing Driver.

Bodle Street Green

FILM CLUB: This month’s film is Departures, the first Japanese film to be shown at the club. It is directed by Yojiro Takita. Heart rending and funny by turns, it examines the Japanese rituals surrounding death, as portrayed in the life of an out of work cellist, who takes a job with an undertaker. 7pm for 7.30pm start tonight at the village hall.

MID-SUMMER FESTIVAL: There are still some tickets left for this event tomorrow, Saturday evening. Eastbourne’s favourite entertainer, Mr Ray Campbell will present his unique and extremely entertaining musical comedy act at the Summerheath Hall, at 7pm for 7.30pm start. Tickets are £14 pp with food or £8 pp without. Bring your own drink. Tickets can be purchased in advance by contacting Yvonne (01323) 845715 or Joy (01323) 840382.

ST MARY’S: This is the fourth Sunday after Trinity. 8am Holy Communion (BCP), Heavenly Hospitality, 10.30am Morning Service with crèche and children’s groups, Lost at Home, 6.30pm Holy Communion, Living in Line with the Gospel.

VETERANS/ARMED FORCES DAY: A service will be held at the Hailsham Memorial on Sunday at 10.45am. Two minutes’ silence will be held at 11am in order that residents can express their gratitude to all veterans of past conflicts. All welcome.

CORINTHIAN CHURCH:On Sunday there is a service at Primrose Hall from 11am until noon followed by refreshments. The medium on this occasion is Dianne Dann.

OPEN CHURCH: St Mary’s parish church is open for visitors to come in and have a browse on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday throughout June to August from noon to 2pm. There are free refreshments, children’s colouring sheets and activity trail. Volunteers are in attendance to answer any questions. There are a number of memorials in the walls and in the adjoining churchyard. Among them are several to members of the Harvey family, the Rev G G Harvey being Vicar from 1846-72 and his son Francis Clyde Harvey, whose reports are often included in the 100 years ago section of this column, was Vicar from 1872-1922. He oversaw much of the building restoration work. Due to other events, the church will not be open between August 6 and 8, also August 27 to 29 inclusive.

COMMUNITY MATTERS: In July green tokens in the Waitrose Community Matters scheme Hailsham branch can be awarded to Rosie’s Register which provides a lost and found service for cats and re-homing in Eastbourne and surrounding area. It is runs entirely on a voluntary basis. The Friday Night Project would also like your support. This is a youth based scheme for young people in Hailsham. Golden Cross Lunch Club meets fortnightly and is for elderly, housebound and disabled people in various venues. Again, this is run entirely by volunteers and they would like your help. When you buy something in the store, you will be given a token, just post it in your favoured cause in the boxes on the way out and at the end of the month they will be apportioned between each of the chosen charities.

EXHIBITION: At the opening of Hailsham Photographic Society’s Annual Exhibition on Saturday June 15 the Mayor, Councillor Jo Bentley, attended with her husband together with many of the Society’s members and representatives from other photographic groups. An introduction by the exhibition organiser, Liz Scott, ARPS, AFIAP, was followed by the Mayor’s response and the exhibition was formally opened by Hailsham Photographic Society President, Dr Colin Tourle, LRPS.

U3A: There are lots of groups to suit everybody. The natural history group was well-informed about cuckoo migration and could identify common shells at the drop of a hat after their May meeting. In June they watched a film about the way plants spread, carried by the wind or water, transported by birds and mammals or dispersed by other less obvious methods. After the light-heartedness of La Fille du Regiment last month, the Opera Group was ready for another tragic opera. Tosca. If you are interested in joining either of these groups or U3A generally, contact Jenny Roots on 01323 740820/jrbooktree@gmail.com, or visit hailshamu3a.co.uk

ARTS AND CRAFTS: Tomorrow, Saturday, from 2pm to 4.30pm there will be displays of competition entries for flowers, photography, handicrafts, a children’s section and home produce at Hellingly village hall. Entrance is £1. Children and exhibitors free.

WI: The next meeting is on Tuesday July 2 at 2.30pm in Hellingly village hall. Jill Rutherford is speaking on Seven Years in Japan. Hellingly Women’s Institute meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 2.30pm in the village hall. If you would like to find out more please ring Iris on (01323) 841875.

MOTHERS UNION: Cathie Bulford reports that Hazel Treadgold, who is a previous MU Worldwide President, spoke to the group in May. Her talk was about how her ordinary life changed dramatically into an extraordinary life when her husband, who at that time was the Vicar of a Parish Church in Darlington, received a phone call from the Dean at Windsor Castle. Their lives were transformed for the following eight years as they became part of the Royal Household. Hazel’s husband was Chaplain of the Little Chapel in Windsor Great Park. She had to undertake a huge amount of entertaining and regularly had 20 to 40 guests after the annual Garter Service. The little chapel is very intimate and personal and where the royal family worship on Sundays. When George VI died, Queen Elizabeth always gave precedence to her mother and let her sit in the King’s seat, although the Queen refers to it as her father’s seat. For the Golden Jubilee, the Queen’s gift to God was money for renovations to small chapels around the country. This is something the Queen does due to her very strong faith, to thank God when she is celebrating a jubilee. As a member of MU living so near to Mary Sumner House, Hazel was approached to be central president for Mothers’ Union. She asked the Dean of Windsor if it would be acceptable or appropriate and he said she had to write a request to the Queen. The Queen is very interested in the work of the MU and on one occasion went to a service at Mary Sumner House. When the Queen was asked to unveil a plaque she said to Hazel, ‘I do hope this one stays on the wall as so many I have unveiled have fallen off.’ The Queen visited Barbados and on her return passed on the good wishes of the lady Hazel had stayed with on her visit as Worldwide President. Hazel has met Billy Graham and mentioned that his wife was very involved in the MU in Africa. She also passed around some lovely photographs of her husband and herself during their time at Windsor. Although as Hazel said, it as very hard work at times, you could clearly see how much she had enjoyed the ‘extraordinary experience.’ Hazel was thanked for braving the weather and travelling all the way from Chichester to be there. The next meeting will be on July 9 for cream tea and entertainment at Lewhurst Farm. Hellingly Mothers’ Union meets on the second Tuesday of each month usually in Hellingly church at 7.15pm but please check the programme. Enquiries to Kathy on 07562 094823.

DEVELOPMENT PLAN: Following the Open Consultation meeting in April to discuss the new community led planning process, Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) and Arlington Parish Action Plan (PAP) and then feedback from forms handed round the Parish, the APPAG (Arlington Parish Plan Action Group) made the assessment that more information and consultation was needed by Parish members to understand the actual force and legality of each type of possible plan. To this end, the APC in May meeting, where the feedback was presented, decided to continue with the consultation process by arranging a meeting(s) with Wealden Councillors and Planning Officers. At the time of writing, this second Open Meeting is planned for Saturday morning, July 13 at Arlington Village Hall. Please keep an eye out for further information in Dicker Links and Arlington Scene. Of further interest, the key issues commented on were the need for a mix of housing, not just affordable, but executive, and taking note of the demographics, sheltered housing was highlighted. Demand for a revamped Parish website was of key interest to younger members of the Parish which is now underway. This plan process is seen as an opportunity to engage all age groups in the planning issues of housing, employment, energy and water resources for today and tomorrow. The Community Planning second open meeting for further consultation with APC Councillors and an advisor from Wealden to answer questions is at 10.30am for coffee/tea at Arlington Village Hall on Saturday July 13. Meeting from 11am to 12.30pm. More information in Arlington Scene. Jenny Holland, APPAG jennyholland@btinternet.com

Herstmonceux & Wartling

SUMMER FAIR: Boreham Street and Wartling Summer Fair, Saturday July 13, 2pm to 5pm in fields adjoining Bull’s Head PH, Boreham Street. Children’s fancy dress parade and dog show, just turn up on the day. Items needed urgently: Unopened bottles and jars, unwanted gifts for tombola, crockery for crockery smash stall, books (new or secondhand) and vinyl. Raffle tickets now on sale with top cash prize of £500. Contact the following for further details or to arrange collection of above items. Mike 01323 831981, Rowena 01323 832590 or Claire 01323 833642.

lewes

FOOTPATHS GROUP: In anticipation of hot balmy days in June, we usually schedule in an evening walk to avoid the heat of the day. However, this year we had the evening walk but with a very strong wind and not particularly hot. On Saturday last, Vivien led a ramble from Lewes to Kingston and back and followed the route from our very first publication, 10 Walks around Lewes. Nine people braved the wind, all prepared with windproof coats and often holding onto headgear to prevent it taking off.

YOU MAY HAVE noticed two new, bright red, wheelie bins on the recreation ground, one by the Pavilion and one by the children’s play area. The new company employed by the parish council to collect the public rubbish will make collections fortnightly. Should additional collections be required, the parish council will arrange these.

BOWLS: The weather hampered matches for the bowls club again last week when they were due to play Hastings Visually Handicapped on Saturday June 22. However, a waterlogged rink deemed it unsafe to do so. Despite Ninfield’s rink being unplayable, a team did manage to travel to Battle to play in a league match. Unfortunately they narrowly lost 66-70. On Sunday June 23, the club played a further league match against Staplecross, winning 74-49 in windy conditions. Hopefully the weather will fare better for them this week.

JUMBLE SALE: 1st Ninfield Scout Group are holding a Jumble Sale tomorrow, Saturday, at Ninfield Memorial Hall, 2pm to 4pm. Along with the usual bargains there will be refreshments and a raffle. Should you have any jumble to donate, you can drop it off to the hall today, Friday, evening after 7pm or it can be dropped off tomorrow, Saturday, morning after 8am. Alternatively, you can arrange for a collection by contacting Dick Creasy on 07970550226 or Elaine Gausden on 07798654614. The group look forward to seeing you there.

TICKETS for the Nin Field Gig tomorrow, Saturday, are now on sale at the Village Stores and cost the same as last year, £10 for adults, £5 children five to 15 years, and £25 family tickets when bought in advance. If still available at the gate they will be £12 and £6. No family tickets. Full details can be found at www.ninfieldbonfire.co.uk Do come along and join the fun and listen to the various bands, eight in total.

THE METHODIST CHURCH invite you to join them for their Salvation Army Music and Praise Service on Sunday, 2.30pm. The Hastings Temple Band and Songsters will be joining the congregation. The service will be followed by an afternoon tea.

THE FLOWER GROUP are meeting on Monday, 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall. This month they welcome Gillian Sadler with her demonstration entitled Show Stopper. All non members are welcome at a small charge of £3 which includes refreshments. All flowers demonstrated are raffled at the end of the evening. They are also attending Ninfield Carnival on Saturday July 13. The group members will be creating floral designs, for this year’s theme 50 Years of James Bond, please visit their stand. A date for your diaries: Flower Festival August 24 to 26. This year’s theme is Festival of Festivals, as well as the beautiful floral arrangements there will be craft stalls, plants, bric-a-brac,books etc plus refreshments. Entrance will be £2 and all proceeds will go to the charity Sara Lee Trust, Hastings. Ninfield Flower Group now has a new website, please log in and let them know what you think of it. If you would like any information regarding the above, or are interested in joining, please contact Susan on 01323 844634 after 6pm or email on ninfieldflowergroup@hotmail.co.uk.

A COFFEE MORNING in aid of Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice will be held on Wednesday at The Methodist Hall from 10am. Go along and meet your friends over coffee and at the same time as enjoying yourself help to raise much needed funds for this worthy charity. There will be a bring and buy, a cake stall and raffle. Further details from Pam Doodes 892329 or Jean Holmes 212663.

HOOE HISTORY SOCIETY are next meeting on July 11, 7.30pm in Hooe Village Hall. This month the topic will be Smugglers and Smuggling. The talk has been prepared by Mavis Walledge, a well known local historian and Heather Sinden, the chairman of Hooe History. The Red Lion Hooe was known to be a special stopping off place for smugglers travelling across the marshes and Hooe had the reputation for being the centre of operations. Rumour has it that an unlucky officer of the crown met his end in the hostelry and now comes back to haunt from time to time. Does the painting of the white van on the village notice board indicate smuggling is still carried out in the sleepy village of Hooe? You are welcome to go along to the hall to hear more, and to share any information you might have. The more the merrier.

THE COFFEE MORNING tomorrow, Saturday, at the Community Centre is hosted by Polegate Pre School. All welcome in the lounge at 10am.

STEERING MEETING of Friends of Willingdon Community School, is held on Tuesday at 7pm in the Community Suite at the school, all welcome. We particularly want to involve local residents and businesses in helping us to enrich the pupils’ learning experience. So if you would like to get involved then please contact us. Jayne Bigsby.

SUMMER FAIR at the Community Centre on July 6, from 11.30am to 3pm. Table sale, tables at £8 each, to book contact Wendy Rogers on 484631 or email Wendyrogers885@btinternet.com. Games for children, fancy dress, age groups, preschool Fairy Tale Character, six to eight years TV character. Nine to 14 years costumes made with recycled materials. Bouncy castle, Morris Men, miniature railway.

ROSALIE invites all of her friends to join her at Trinity for a summer tea, to be held on July 11, please contact Jennie Macfadyen by Sunday June 30 if coming for catering purposes. Telephone 484189.

ON WEDNESDAY June 12, Willingdon Library celebrated 50 years in the present building. At the library, on approaching we saw a notice outside that said we were entering a Silence Zone. How that takes me back to the days when talking in the library was forbidden. Only talk in whispers to the staff and no one else. Once inside we were taken back to 1963 with photos and pictures of the library as it was on 12 June 1963 when Mabel Hatfield was in charge, along with Mona Plumbley and another member of staff. The present building replaced an earlier wooden building at the rear of the present library. There were pictures on the wall of events that took place in 1963 that we were asked to answer, also a book in order to write our memories of the early days of this library. I wrote in this book, as my family and I arrived in September 1963 to Lower Willingdon, and on my visit to the library as a very shy reserved teenager, I was told in no uncertain terms to put books away on the shelf as I passed the returns trolley by Mrs Hatfield. Thus began my stint as one of the volunteers at the library, first of all sorting out books to go out to the housebound. I did go out for a short time delivering these books, but as a non-driver it was difficult to link up with another driver. Then I was given the task of filing the fiction books under the authors in alphabetical order. When Mrs Hatfield found out that I was working in an office, and knew how to file documents, I was transferred to the nonfiction section where I had to learn the Dewey number system. Also on show was Mrs Hatfield’s manual typewriter. This was used to type out the tickets that used to be inside the books. How things have changed over the last 50 years, now the library has four computers, fewer shelves and even fewer books.

GIVE BLOOD: There will be a blood donor session at the Winter Garden, Eastbourne from 2pm to 4.30pm and from 5.30pm to 8pm on Tuesday.

uckfield

WEALDEN POLICE and partner agencies have been utilising social media for a long time now. We have many thousands of people that follow all of our social media accounts. These accounts allow us to interact quickly with members of the public as well as updating on what officers are doing on patrols. The neighbourhood policing team will also be updating on the work they are doing towards dealing with the policing priorities chosen by you. If you would like to follow any of our social media accounts all you need to do is go to www.twitter.com and register an account. Once you have registered you can search for the following accounts that are used in Wealden that you may find of interest. @WealdenPolice (Wealden Police main twitter account) @HailshamPolice (Tweets from the local team in Hailsham) @UckfieldPolice (Tweets from the local team in Uckfield) @HeathfieldPol (Tweets from the local team in Heathfield) @CrowboroughPol (Tweets from the local team in Crowborough) @PolegatePol (Tweets from the local team in Polegate) @NPT_Coordinator (Neighbourhood Police coordinator for Wealden) @WealdenDistComm (District Commander Dick Coates) @InspT_Wakefield (Neighbourhood Policing Inspector in Wealden) @SaferWealden (Safer Wealden Partnership news and updates) Please feel free to follow and interact with all of the accounts. You can also follow Wealden police on Facebook by searching for Sussex. You may remember that we recently asked you to complete an online questionnaire to help us find out what is important to you and identify three key priorities in each area. A big thank you for your participation and we are now pleased to update you on the findings as well as answering some key points that came up. Overall 1,195 residents completed the online survey. Residents were asked to pick three priorities from a predetermined list of crimes. Speeding, burglary. burglary of sheds and outbuildings.

ROTARY AND INNER WHEEL: Uckfield Rotary and Inner Wheel Clubs will be holding An Antiques Afternoon in the Belmont Centre on Thursday August 8, 2pm to 5pm. TV antiques expert James Braxton will be there to discuss antiques, and to evaluate items you bring along. There will be tea and cakes, put it in the diary now and we will remind you again later. Tickets cost £10.00, and proceeds will be divided between the Children’s Respite Trust and Sussex Air Ambulance, which are respectively this year’s Rotary and Inner Wheel charities.

THE BIG LUNCH: The Manor Park and Hempstead Fields Residents’ Association, which was formed last November, hasn’t yet decided on the design for its logo and so to help out children from the local Manor Primary School were asked to submit their ideas. Around 100 entries were received and the winners were announced at the Association’s Big Lunch on June 2. The association’s chairman, Paul Sparks, awarded the prizes: First prize was awarded to Charlie Thomas, second prize to Bethany Hunt, and third prize to a joint entry from Dominic Murphy and Harry Dennis. The winners each received a certificate and gift token. More photos of the event can be found on the Association’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ManorParkResAssoc. The residents’ association is still recruiting members, if you are interested in joining please email peter.griggs48@gmail.com or visit the Association’s website http://manorparkhempfieldsresidents.co.uk.

MERRY WIVES: Two out of three is not bad; I refer to the fact that we were able to perform on the Green on Thursday and Friday. We had, however, to move back to the village hall on Saturday because of the bad weather. Having endured strong winds and rain the previous weekend at the dress and tech rehearsals, we didn’t want to inflict this on the audience. We had a good run however with appreciative audiences watching Sir John Falstaff getting his come uppance and the young lovers joined in matrimony despite their families’ best efforts. Director Kirrie Wratton directed a great cast, in this comic tale of intrigue. Our setting was in the Edwardian era with a music hall theme, giving an excuse for some of the music hall favourites, including Don’t Dilly Dally and the Bull and Bush, the latter renamed the Horse and Groom. Thank you to those who supported us, and to all who worked so hard to put this production on. Just before the first night I received an email with details of the next production, which is a theatre supper performance, ‘Make Way for Lucia’, a comedy by John van Druten based on the novels by E F Benson and will take place on November 20 to 23. Auditions for anyone interested in an acting role in this production will be held on Sunday July 7, 10am to noon at the Dunn Village Hall and Monday July 8, 8pm to 10pm at The Chantry, Middle Lane, Turners Green. Audition pieces and information on characters can be accessed on the website.

Willingdon, Wannock & Jevington

THE ASHDOWN SINGERS under the direction of Terence Steele are based in Uckfield but singers travel from all over East Sussex to be part of this choir. It is necessary to audition and with approximately 30 singers all with good strong voices, the choir is big enough to sing choral works but small enough to sing madrigals and part songs. They are equally at home performing in village churches, cathedrals or concert halls. The Ashdown Singers recent concert at St Andrew’s Church in Jevington was given freely but the audience in this small village church were happy to donate to the retiring collection as they all thoroughly enjoyed the concert. £380 was donated for the church building fund to repair the small window in the porch. The choir’s next concert is on October 12 at St John the Evangelist Crowborough where they will be joined by the Wealden Chamber Orchestra. Ashdown Singers are also available to hire for private functions and weddings. Contact Terence Steele on 01435 813664.

QUIZ NIGHT: Maureen and John Males will be hosting a quiz night with supper provided at The Cottage, Dittons Road, Polegate. It will take place at 7pm tonight, Friday. Organising the quiz will be Sandie and John. The event is in aid of the JPK Sussex Project which has now got planning permission to build a supported residential centre in Old Town for people with a learning disability. Please contact the project co-ordinator Willingdon resident Jill Parker on 01323 486179 or Maureen on 01323 482011 for tickets which are £8 each.

WANNOCK ARTISTS: Today, Friday, Josie Tipler will be giving a seascape demonstration in mixed media. The meeting will be held from 7pm to 9pm at Wannock Hall. Visitors are welcome to these monthly meetings. Admission is £3.

OPEN GARDEN: As part of the Garden Trail 2013 in support of St Wilfrid’s Hospice, there will be an Open Garden from 11am to 4pm tomorrow, Saturday, at Friston Place Friston. Follow the signs off the Jevington to Friston Road down the private road to Friston Place. Tea and coffee will be served and there will be stalls and a raffle. Limited wheelchair access is available but no dogs please other than guide dogs. These are extensive gardens featuring a walled rose garden and a large wild flower meadow.

JUSTINE will be providing the entertainment at The British Queen from 8.30pm tomorrow, Saturday.

GADZOOKS will be entertaining the customers at the Wheatsheaf from 8.30pm tomorrow, Saturday.

POLEGATE WINDMILL will be open from 2pm to 5pm on Sunday.

THE MOTHERS’UNION will be providing a strawberry cream tea in St Mary’s Church Hall or the gardens if fine at 2.30pm on Tuesday. The cost is £2.50 per person and everyone is welcome.

INSPIRED: Willingdon Community School will be staging an art exhibition Inspired in the drama studio and our space area from 6.30pm to 9pm on Wednesday. Refreshments are available and there will be live music.

TRINITY CHURCH members will be meeting for an evening stroll along Eastbourne seafront tomorrow, Saturday. The meeting point is the Wish Tower in front of the lifeboat museum at 6pm or at the entrance to the pier at 6.15pm. After the walk, the members will be able to enjoy a nice cup of coffee at the beach deck where non-walkers can also join them.

RBL: The Willingdon branch of the Royal British Legion will be holding their summer social for members and friends at 14 Church Street at 7pm for 7.30pm on Thursday. Refreshments will be served and there is a raffle. The Little Common RBL Band will be playing. If the weather is bad the event will be held in the church hall.

SUMMER FAIR: St Mary’s Church Summer Fair is from 10am to 2.30pm on Saturday July 6 with the theme of Beside the Sea. If you would like to help in any way please contact Serena Thompson on 07725 124902.

ASTRONOMY: Eastbourne Astronomical Society is meeting at Willingdon Memorial Hall in Church Street on Saturday July 6. The doors open at 7pm when members can browse through the growing number of books and magazines concerning all things astronomical. The meeting starts at 7.30pm when Dr Stephen Webb will be giving a talk entitled New Eyes on The Universe. Twelve cosmic mysteries and the tools we need to solve them. All are welcome.

FLOWER COMPETITION: Willingdon Flower Club members will be competing for the Edith Pierce competition with the theme of a Summer Tea Party, an exhibit to complement a plate. The meeting is held at 1.45pm on Friday July 5 at Willingdon Memorial Hall. The judge will be Elsie Chaplin.